Technologies for Astronomical Wide-Field Adaptive Optics

Adaptive Optics (AO) can greatly enhance the resolution of astronomical images, achieving close to diffraction-limited performance in the near infrared; however there are a number of areas where significant improvements can be made, one of them being the very limited field of view that current AO systems can achieve. ‘Wide-field AO’ encompasses those techniques devised to widen the corrected field of view, from a few tens of arcseconds in ‘classical AO’ systems to several arcminutes in Multi-Object AO (MOAO). This thesis researches some topics within ‘wide-field AO’ for astronomy, concentrating its experimental work in some of the key technologies required to implement MOAO: open-loop models to run deformable mirrors (DM) in a MOAO system and a ‘Figure Sensor’ to measure the shape of a DM with required accuracy and at high-speed, in order to incorporate it into the AO control system

Preliminary Test Predictions for Scale Ram-Air Parachute Testing

The present thesis proposes a preliminary analysis to predict the aerodynamic performance for experimental tests of ram-air parachutes in a wind tunnel. A scaled experimental test setup is developed for determining the aerodynamic coefficients of lift () and drag () conducted in a wind tunnel. Additionally, a CFD approach where a steady-state parachute shape defined based on experiments, photographs, and literature, is presented. The accuracy of the simulation depends considerably on the ability to resolve the canopy geometry. Therefore, a CAD geometry generation is implemented for flexible control of the canopy structure by implementing design parameters, e.g., chord, span and planform shape. Distortions caused by inflation and suspension line tensions on the canopy structure are simulated by the manipulation of the surfaces in the CAD design. The numerical results compared with experimental data from the literature under similar flow conditions showed good agreement for the values of and a relative constant offset for the values of for the range of angles of attack analyzed. The difference for the values of was attributed mainly to effects of the geometry deformation and suspension lines drag during the experimental tests. Additionally, simulations with a domain size equal to the dimensions of a wind tunnel test section showed an increase of 26% in the lift curve slope and strong wing tip vortices compared to the baseline model because of wall interaction effects. Finally, experimental tests using correction factors to compensate lift and drag measurements are recommended to directly validate the numerical results

Genetic Analyses of Male Sterility and Wide Compatibility in U.S. Hybrid Rice Breeding Lines

Two line hybrid rice breeding is widely used in Asia and involves the use of environmentally-sensitive male sterile lines to achieve high grain yields compared to pure line varieties. Currently, there is limited information concerning the performance and inheritance of two indica male sterile lines 2008S and 2009S under U.S. field conditions. The first objective of the research herein was to characterize genetic male sterility of lines 2009S and 2008S under controlled environment conditions. Results showed that 2009S exhibited a thermosensitive response whereas little or no response was observed with changes in daylength. Furthermore, high pollen fertility was achieved at the proper developmental stage (flag leaf not fully exposed) under low temperature treatment for 10 days. On the other hand, 2008S showed partial fertility when subjected to short daylength and high temperature conditions. Both lines were completely male sterile at high temperature and long daylength under Louisiana field conditions. The second objective was two-fold: to investigate the inheritance of photoperiod, thermosensitive genetic male sterility (PTGMS) under field conditions and to evaluate SNP-based markers for male sterility. A three-year study of 2008S F2 and BC1F2 populations from 2012 to 2014 revealed a two-locus segregation model indicating two recessive genes acting on male sterility. Inheritance of 2009S in a two-year study from 2013 and 2014 displayed single locus segregation using F2 and BC1F2 populations demonstrating that male sterility was controlled by a single recessive gene. SNP markers at LOC_Os07g12130 and LOC_Os12g36030 in the 2008S background showed significant interactions with up to 65% variance explained in one population, while a SNP marker at LOC_Os02g12290 identified 90-100% of male sterile lines segregating in F2 and BC1F2 populations derived from 2009S. The third objective was to conduct QTL mapping for male sterility in populations derived from 2008S using a selective genotyping approach. A total of five major QTLs including those previously identified in LOC_Os07g12130 and LOC_Os12g36030 and eight new minor QTLs were detected using single marker analysis. Four QTL intervals were detected with a LOD score of greater than 3.0 using inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). QTLs identified will be useful in future studies to fine-map additional markers associated with male sterility and increase prediction accuracy for marker assisted selection. The fourth objective was to investigate the effect of the S5n wide compatibility gene on grain yield and spikelet fertility in hybrids derived from the SB5 RIL mapping population. Results from this study revealed that heterozygous S5n S5j hybrids produced significantly higher spikelet fertility and yield versus the hybrids carrying S5i S5j genotypes. Indel and SNP markers developed for the S5 locus successfully differentiated the three unique genotypes (S5n, S5i and S5j). Overall results from this study demonstrated that male sterile lines 2008S and 2009S were useful for two-line hybrid rice breeding under Louisiana conditions. New QTLs discovered and markers developed for male sterility and wide compatibility will help facilitate marker assisted breeding in developing male sterile lines for the LSU hybrid rice breeding program

Estrés académico asociado a ideación suicida en estudiantes de medicina humana UPAO – Piura, 2019

OBJETIVO: Determinar si el estrés académico es un factor asociado a la ideación suicida en los estudiantes de medicina humana. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Es un estudio observacional, analítico, de corte transversal, donde se evaluó a 621 alumnos. Se aplicó la Escala De Ideación Suicida de Beck para medir la ideación suicida, y para medir el nivel de estrés académico se utilizó el Inventario SISCO, además se incluyó un cuestionario de variables sociodemográficas, académicas y clínicas. RESULTADOS La prevalencia de ideación suicida fue de 16,1%, el nivel bajo de ideación suicida fue el que más predominó con 10%. La mayoría presentó un nivel de estrés académico moderado con 56%. Se identificó que el nivel de estrés académico, el lugar de procedencia, llevar un curso por más de una matrícula, la no convivencia con los padres y tener un antecedente de un familiar con suicidio o intento de suicido fueron variables asociadas a ideación suicida. A medida que aumenta el nivel de ideación suicida, el puntaje de estrés académico también aumenta. CONCLUSIONES: El estrés académico es un factor que aumenta de forma directamente proporcional la ideación suicida. Los alumnos que presentaban ideación suicida tenían un nivel profundo de estrés académico. Casi 2 de cada 10 estudiantes de medicina humana presentan ideación suicida.OBJECTIVE: To determine if academic stress is a factor associated with suicidal ideation in human medicine students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, where 621 students were evaluated. For data collection, the BECK Suicidal Ideation Scale was applied to measure suicidal ideation, and the SISCO Inventory was used to measure the level of academic stress, in addition a questionnaire of sociodemographic, academic and clinical variables was included. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 16.1%, the low level of suicidal ideation was the most prevalent with 10%. The majority presented a moderate level of academic stress with 56%. It was identified that the level of academic stress, the place of origin, taking a course for more than one enrollment, not living with parents and having a history of a family member with suicide or suicide attempt were variables associated with suicidal ideation. As the level of suicidal ideation increases, the academic stress score also increases. CONCLUSIONS: Academic stress is a factor that directly proportionally increases suicidal ideation. Students who presented suicidal ideation had a profound level of academic stress. Almost 2 in 10 human medicine students have suicidal ideation.Tesi

Técnicas de ahorro de energía (Green Computing)

Los computadores ofrecen cada vez más prestaciones en términos de potencia de cómputo, rapidez, almacenamiento de datos, etcétera. Este incremento de la potencia de cómputo tiene como consecuencia y limitación un incremento significativo del consumo energético. Para resolver este problema, han aparecido recientemente diversos proyectos que buscan un mayor control y una mejor utilización de la energía en los computadores, sobretodo en el ámbito de los supercomputadores. En este trabajo queremos investigar las diversas técnicas y herramientas desarrolladas para el ahorro de consumo energético. Se identifican y catalogan las herramientas encontradas actualmente, y se describen cada una de ellas desde el enfoque de la capacidad de medir y gestionar el consumo energético. Además se muestran y analizan los resultados obtenidos para cada una de ellas, para desarrollar una evaluación crítica de cada una de las herramientas consideradas y una reflexión general sobre los retos aún abiertos en este ámbito.Computers offer more and more features in terms of computing power, speed, data storage, and so on. This increase in computing power has as a consequence and limitation a significant increase in energy consumption. To solve this problem, several projects have recently appeared that seek greater control and better use of energy in computers, especially in the field of supercomputers. In this work we want to investigate the different techniques and tools developed to save energy consumption. The currently found tools are identified and cataloged, and each of them is described from the perspective of the capacity to measure and manage energy consumption. In addition, the results obtained for each of them are shown and analyzed, to develop a critical evaluation of each of the tools considered and a general reflection on the challenges still open in this area.Els computadors ofereixen cada vegada més prestacions en termes de potència de còmput, rapidesa, emmagatzematge de dades, etcètera. Aquest increment de la potència de còmput té com a conseqüència i limitació un increment significatiu del consum energètic. Per resoldre aquest problema, han aparegut recentment diversos projectes que busquen un major control i una millor utilització de l'energia en els computadors, sobretot en l'àmbit dels supercomputadors. En aquest treball volem investigar les diverses tècniques i eines desenvolupades per a l'estalvi de consum energètic. S'identifiquen i cataloguen les eines trobades actualment, i es descriuen cadascuna d'elles des de l'enfocament de la capacitat de mesurar i gestionar el consum energètic. A més es mostren i analitzen els resultats obtinguts per a cadascuna d'elles, per desenvolupar una avaluació crítica de cadascuna de les eines considerades i una reflexió general sobre els reptes encara oberts en aquest àmbit

Accelerating atmospheric models using GPUs

Environmental models are simplified representations of an object or a process [1]. These models provide valuable information on the nature of real-world phenomena and systems [2], with many applications in science and engineering [3]. For example, environmental models play an increasingly important role in understanding the potential implications of climate change [4]. There are many types of models in the environmental sciences [5]. These models are often associated with large computational costs because of their complexity [6]. The model studied in this work, the Multiscale Online Nonhydrostatic AtmospheRe CHemistry model (MONARCH), is an atmospheric model that currently runs in the MareNostrum supercomputer of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), one of the Top-500 supercomputers in the world [7] [8]. MONARCH provides regional mineral dust forecasts to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Barcelona Dust Forecast Center (BDFC) and the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (SDS-WAS). MONARCH also provides global aerosol forecasts to the International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP) initiative

Bioconversión de la flavonona naringenina por células completas de Y. lipolytica 2.2ab

En este trabajo se obtuvo con éxito la bioconversión de naringenina bioactiva para la producción de compuestos de mayor valor agregado en cultivo superficial y líquido. Este enfoque es una alternativa a la producción comercial de estos compuestos bioactivos a partir de fuentes vegetales y principalmente de frutas cítricas, que están limitados debido a sus bajas concentraciones y la complejidad de los procesos de purificación. Mediante esta metodología, la transformación microbiana aumentó hasta 57 veces la producción de flavonoides en experimentos con células completas de Yarrowia lipolytica 2.2ab como biocatalizador en medio líquido, en comparación a la producción de flavonoides mediante la extracción in situ de organismos vegetales. De la experimentación se obtuvo apigenina, eriodictiol, luteolina, quercetina, aromadedrina, ampelopsina y miricetina, todos compuestos de valor agregado en cultivos de bioconversión tanto superficial como líquido. Algunos de los compuestos producidos no se han reportado previamente como productos de los procesos de bioconversión en medio líquido, como es el caso de la ampelopsina, en el caso del proceso de bioconversión en medio superficial ningún compuesto producido en este trabajo ha sido reportado previamente. Se plantearon vías biosintéticas para la bioconversión de naringenina por células enteras de Y. lipolytica 2.2ab. Finalmente, los extractos obtenidos mostraron mayor porcentaje de inhibición de los radicales DPPH● y ABTS●, en comparación con la actividad de la naringenina comercial

Sistema Web para el proceso de costo del área de comercio exterior de la empresa Komatsu Mitsui Maquinarias Perú S.A.

El presente proyecto de desarrollo de investigación realizada en el periodo del ciclo 2018-II, titulada “Sistema Web para el proceso de costo del área de Comercio Exterior de la empresa Komatsu Mitsui Maquinarias Perú S.A.” tuvo como objetivo principal determinar la influencia de un sistema web para el Subproceso de Pre costeo de mercadería de importación del área de Comercio Exterior de la empresa mencionada. Como objetivos específicos se tuvo determinar la influencia de un sistema web en la eficacia de registros de operaciones de importación y confiabilidad del cálculo del costo de importación de materiales importados. Para el desarrollo del sistema web se definió como marco de trabajo a la metodología Scrum, utilizando herramientas tales como Ludichart, Erwin Data Modeler, Ludichart, Project, entre otras. Como lenguaje de programación se consideró a Visual Basic .Net y como sistema gestor de base de datos a Sql Server 2018R2. La arquitectura del sistema se basó en el patrón de desarrollo tres capas (Presentación, Negocio y Datos). La conclusión a las que se llegaron finalmente indicaron que con la implementación del sistema web se incremente el nivel de confiabilidad y el tiempo de búsqueda se redujo, por consiguiente, se concluyó de la misma manera en que el sistema web mejoro el proceso de control de inventarios de activos fijos del área de TI en la empresa Komatsu-Mitsui Maquinarias Perú S.A